Arboricultural Report. on the trees adjacent to,

Transcription

1 Arboricultural Report on the trees adjacent to,

2 Contents Page 1.0, The Brief 2 2.0, Intention 2 3.0, Findings , Description of Species 3 5.0, Soil conditions 3 6.0, Proximity 3 7.0, Protective Measures 3 8.0, Constraints , Recommendations , Conclusions 4 Arboricultural Report Page. 1

3 Report, 1.0, The brief The brief was to carry out a survey of the trees in the garden and adjacent to number, to identify the size and species of the trees and advise on any damage that the trees may cause to the property. 2.0, Intention The intention of this report is to put forward recommendations for the management of these trees to avoid any structural damage to the property. To identify the soil type in the vicinity to ascertain if this may increase the risk of damage that may be caused by these trees. 3.0, Findings The rear garden is split into two sections separated by a timber fence, directly adjacent to the house is a patio with a swimming pool and steps down into the garden. The garden slopes away steeply from front to back and presumably continues down to the coast. The first section of the garden has nine Lawson cypresses, Chameacyparis Lawsonia along the left-hand boundary, these are approximately ten to fifteen years old and have been topped off a number of years ago. This continues on the other side of the fence with another four trees. The dividing fence and right hand boundary have been planted with a Laurel hedge Prunus Laurocerasus Rotundifolia which is still immature. This will if not pruned become a hedge of vigorous trees but when pruned regularly will form a dense and effective hedge. To the rear of the fence is a mature weeping willow Salix alba Tristis this has a diameter of 2 metres at 1.5 metres high although it is approximately 22 metres from the rear flank wall of the house. The tree has been pruned back on a number of occasions and most recently about four years ago. Behind the willow is a line of Leyland Cypress x Cupressocyparis Leylandii at about 7 metres high, these are straggly and in fairly poor condition being crowded by the other Leyland and the Willow. There is also a Hawthorn Cretagus Monogyna in this rear section which is probably self seeded and is about ten to fifteen years old. We were unable to identify any drains that we could check for root incursion. 4.0, Description of major tree species The Weeping Willow is a cultivar of the White Willow, like most willows it prefers damp boggy areas. It is fast growing and its roots will seek out water course often breaking into Arboricultural Report Page. 2

4 and following drains. The tree will tend to branch and spread so that its canopy can cover a wide area. Leyland Cypress is a vigorous hybrid which grows rapidly up to a maximum of 40 metres, in good conditions it has dense evergreen foliage and is not a suitable tree for small gardens or urban areas. 5.0, Soil conditions The soil type is likely to be Ratsborough which is a fine silty and loamey soil overlying a clayey soil, prone to seasonal water logging. The primary soil type for structure damage caused by trees is shrinkable clays, the soil here although with a clay base is lighter and more loamy. 6.0, Proximity The Kew Root Survey , of structural damage stated that the occurrence of damage increased with regard to the proximity of the tree, to the buildings structure. It goes on to state that very little damage occurred at a distance of 21 metres, this increased in proportion until 50% of recorded damage was within 6metres, this also referred to heavy clay soil conditions. 7.0, Protective measures Regular pruning of the tree should reduce its requirement for water and nutrients and therefore its root spread. At this distance the growth of the bole and root spread should not become a problem. Root barriers could protect the foundations but the installation of concrete strip barriers is expensive and disruptive and is only usually done in order to preserve rare or ancient specimens. At this distance this would also appear to be unnecessary. 8.0, Recommendations The Willow is a good specimen and at 22 metres distant in a medium-light clay based soil. It is unlikely to affect the foundations of the property or the outer structures. The tree should be pruned on a five year cycle to restrict the spread of its canopy and its root plate. The Leyland Cypresses can be a problem tree and are of little aesthetic or ecological value and therefore should be removed. The Lawson Cypresses form a boundary to the left hand side and should not represent a problem we would recommend that they are topped at 4 or 5 metres high. The Laurel hedge should be pruned each year once it has reached the desired height. Arboricultural Report Page. 3

5 9.0, Constraints Working on the trees will involve some constraints ; A, Soil heave, when trees grow on shrinkable clay and loamy clay soils, during their growth they remove a large amount of moisture from the soil. This causes the soil to shrink and settle. When a tree is removed the soil will hydrate and swell until it reaches what is known as the field level usually after a year. This upward movement of the soil can in itself cause structural damage, with the Lawson Cypress they are far enough away from the property not to cause a major problem. It is recommended that the trees should be removed in the spring time to allow the soil to settle before the autumn rains. B, Tree preservation orders; if a Willow has a Tree preservation order permission will have to be sought from the Local Authorities Arboricultural Officer to carry out pruning. It would be difficult to obtain permission to fell the tree in those circumstances however this is unlikely. If the tree is within a conservation area, permission will still be required although the requirements will not be as stringent as in the former situation. 10.0, Conclusion The Weeping Willow is a vigorous tree which grows quickly and is not normally suitable for modest gardens however the tree is at a considerable distance from the property, a greater distance than is normally associated with structural damage and the expected soil type is also not normally associated with structural damage. There are a number of other types of tree within the garden, the Leyland Cypress are a problem tree and do not appear to be adding anything to the landscape and therefore should be removed. The Lawson Cypress, Hawthorn and Laurel hedging should be retained but pruned to avoid them becoming oversized. G.S.Dolden MRICS Arboricultural Report Page. 4